Matt Damon: Let’s Talk About Men Who Aren’t Sexual Predators

Actor Matt Damon has once again spoken about sexual predators in Hollywood, this time claiming that the one thing people fail to talk profusely about are the men who don't harass women.

In a new interview, the Downsizing star highlighted the importance of remembering folks around him who haven't wronged anybody much like how Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, and a roster of other names have sexually victimized numerous people working within the industry.

"We're in this watershed moment, and it's great, but I think one thing that's not being talked about is there are a whole s--tload of guys — the preponderance of men I've worked with — who don't do this kind of thing and whose lives aren't going to be affected," Damon told Business Insider.

Damon, whose film Downsizing comes out Dec. 22, was recently at the center of heated criticism after asking people to consider the "spectrum of behavior" when it comes to sexual assault. He argued during an interview that there's a difference between "patting someone on the butt" and rape or child molestation.

While condemning the spate of men thrust into intense media scrutiny after their wrongful behavior surfaced, Damon also said that Louis C.K. and Al Franken, who, respectively, have been accused of masturbating in front of women and groping them, exist in a gray area. Twitter was aflame, with the majority advising Damon to "shut up."

Damon's latest statements drew ire from his Good Will Hunting co-star and former girlfriend Minnie Driver, who said that men like him "simply cannot understand what abuse is like on a daily level." Other celebrities also reacted, including Rose McGowan, Cher, Debra Messing, and others.

Of course, Twitter was aflame yet again, accusing Damon of being "dense" and attributing his myopia to straight white male privilege.

It's certainly a harrowing era for both men and women, especially given the breakneck speed at which these stories are coming out of the woodwork. Perhaps multiple allegations against Bill Cosby a couple of years ago was exactly the fuel that was needed to let other stories surface into the fore.

This year, it's producer Harvey Weinstein that was beset by numerous allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual assault, and even rape. Soon after, many stories exposing predatory behavior within Hollywood circles came out, causing widespread chaos not just in Hollywood but in other industries at well. As a result, more women and men have spoken up, and more will likely speak up moving forward.

Below are some Twitter reactions to Damon's latest statements:

Tags

Matt Damon, Sexual harassment, Sexual abuse